This book examines autism characteristics that may be different than expected (atypical), primarily found in females, but also in others and are likely to be missed or misdiagnosed when identification and support are needed. It follows a lifespan framework, guiding readers through comprehensive assessment processes at any age. The book integrates interpretations of standardized measures, information from scientific literature, and context from first-person accounts to provide a more nuanced and sensitive approach to assessment. It addresses implications for improved treatment and supports based on comprehensive assessment processes and includes case studies within each age range to consolidate and illustrate assessment processes. Key areas of coverage include: Interdisciplinary assessment processes, including psychology, speech and language pathology, education, and health care disciplines. Lifespan approach to comprehensive assessment of autism in females/atypical autism. Guide to interpretation of standardized measures in females/atypical autism. Additional assessment tools and processes to provide diagnostic clarity. Descriptions of barriers in diagnostic processes from first-person accounts. Intervention and support strategies tied to assessment data. In-depth explanations of evidence and at-a-glance summaries. Assessment of Autism in Females and Nuanced Presentations is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, practitioners, and policymakers in developmental and clinical psychology, speech language pathology, medicine, education, social work, mental health, and all interrelated disciplines.

This volume examines repetitive and restrictive behaviors and interests (RRBIs) affecting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The various aspects of RRBIs, an umbrella term for a broad class of behaviors linked by repetition, rigidity, invariance, and inappropriateness to place and context are reviewed by an international team of expert leaders in the field. Key topics of coverage include: Neurological Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive: Animal and human models Underlying mechanisms of RRBs across typical and atypical development The relationship between RRBI and other characteristics of ASD (communication, social, sensory aspects) RRBIs and adults with ASD Diagnosing RRBIs An RRBI intervention model The book bridges the gap between the neurobiological and neurocognitive bodies of knowledge in relation to RRBIs and their behavioral aspects and examines associations with other domains of ASD. In addition, the volume addresses related assessment and treatment of RRBI in ASD. This is an essential resource for researchers, graduate students, clinicians and related therapists and professionals in developmental psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, clinical child and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, pediatrics, occupational therapy and special education.

The difference that being female makes to the diagnosis, life and experiences of a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has largely gone unresearched and unreported until recently. In this book Sarah Hendrickx has collected both academic research and personal stories about girls and women on the autism spectrum to present a picture of their feelings, thoughts and experiences at each stage of their lives. Outlining how autism presents differently and can hide itself in females and what the likely impact will be for them throughout their lifespan, the book looks at how females with ASD experience diagnosis, childhood, education, adolescence, friendships, sexuality, employment, pregnancy and parenting, and aging. It will provide invaluable guidance for the professionals who support these girls and women and it will offer women with autism a guiding light in interpreting and understanding their own life experiences through the experiences of others.

Adult autism assessment is a new and fast-growing clinical area, for which professionals often feel ill-equipped. Autistic adults are often misdiagnosed which has enormous implications for their mental health. This accessible and comprehensive adult autism assessment handbook covers the most up to date research and best practice around adult autism assessment, centering the person's internal experiences and sense-making in clinical assessment, rather than subjective observation, thus providing the clinician with a truly paradigm shifting Neuro-Affirmative approach to autism assessment. Traditional clinical assessment tools are comprehensively explored and unpacked to enable the clinician to have full confidence in aligning traditional criteria to the Autistic person's subjective experiences. Full of additional resources like language guidelines and an exploration of the common intersections between Autistic experience and the effects of trauma, mental health and more, this book supplies a breadth of knowledge on key areas that affect Autistic adults in everyday life. The mixed team of neurotypical and neurodivergent authors describe lived experience of Autistic adults, a how-to for conducting Neuro-Affirmative assessments and post-assessment support, alongside reflections from practice. This book also has a directory of further resources including downloadable forms that you can use to prepare for your own assessments and a downloadable deep dive into Autistic perception. This guide will also support professionals through every step of the assessment process.

This issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Robert Wisner-Carlson, Thomas Flis, Scott Pekrul and Robert Schloesser, will cover key topics of importance surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Lifespan. This issue is Part I of II and one of four selected each year by our series Consulting Editor, Dr. Harsh Trivedi. Topics discussed in this issue include but are not limited to: Diagnosis, Developmental Changes, Social Skills Training, Transition through Adulthood, Intersection with Eating Disorders, Legal Issues and planning, Education, and Vocational and Prevocational issues, among other topics.

This issue of Psychiatric Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Robert Wisner-Carlson, Thomas Flis, Scott Pekrul, and Robert Schloesser will discuss a number of important topics addressing Autism Disorders Across the lifespan. This issue is one of four each year selected by our series consulting editor, Dr. Harsh Trivedi of Sheppard Pratt Health System. Part II of this issue will be publishing subsequently. Articles in this issue include: Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan; The Role of Diagnostic Instruments in Dual and Differential Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan; Current Approaches to the Pharmacologic Treatment of Core Symptoms Across the Lifespan of Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism and Education; The Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Social Skills Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan; Competitive Integrated Employment for Youth and Adults with Autism: Findings from a Scoping Review; Transitioning from Adolescence to Adulthood with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview of Planning and Legal Issues; Intersection of Eating Disorders and the Female Profile of Autism; and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan.

Gain an understanding of the most important autism spectrum assessments and evaluation techniques Essentials of Autism Spectrum Disorders Evaluation and Assessment, 2nd Edition, helps professionals learn how to identify, assess, and diagnose autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In a time when detection and awareness of ASD are on the rise, this book addresses the primary domains of assessment, discusses the purpose of assessment, suggests test instruments, and identifies the unique clinical applications of each instrument to the diagnosis of ASD. As with all volumes in the Essentials of Psychological Assessment series, this book consists of concise chapters featuring callout boxes highlighting key concepts, easy-to-learn bullet points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as test questions that help you gauge and reinforce your grasp of the information covered. Understand the issues in identification and assessment of autism spectrum disorders Get expert advice on avoiding common pitfalls and misinterpretations Quickly and easily locate pertinent information, thanks to the convenient, rapid-reference format Access resources and tools to aid in performing professional duties. This straightforward manual includes samples of integrated reports from diagnostic evaluations and prepares clinical and school psychologists, and clinicians from allied disciplines, to effectively evaluate and assess ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorders from Theory to Practice Apply the latest ASD theory to assessment and intervention in real-world clinical environments In Autism Spectrum Disorders from Theory to Practice, a team of experienced interventionists deliver a practical application of modern theory regarding autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to common, real-world clinical situations. Hands-on guidance is paired with advice on culturally appropriate and responsive practices informed by professionals who collectively have over 40 years of combined speech pathology experience. The work of special contributors like Dr. Pamela Wiley, who is the Founder and President of the Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center, appears alongside evidence-based ASD intervention instruction that draws from the latest studies and from the authors’ assessments and interventions with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds. When combined with the reader’s own professional competence, clinical experiences, and continuing education, this book is a powerful resource that will improve patient outcomes. Autism Spectrum Disorders readers will also find: Personal anecdotes from the authors’ clinical practices to help illustrate the application of the concepts discussed within Active Learning Tasks that educators can use to promote learning activities that encourage direct engagement with the material Helpful and illustrative diagrams included throughout the text to help elucidate points and clarify information in each chapter Goal Spotlights that provide sample intervention goals practitioners can use with actual clients with autism Reflection Letters in which individuals from various perspectives and backgrounds—from autism researchers to developmental psychologists, advocates such as Holly Robinson Peete, and adults thriving with autism—describe their experiences Autism Spectrum Disorders from Theory to Practice is a useful reference for new and experienced practitioners in the field of autism research, speech-language pathologists, developmental psychologists, adapted physical education teachers, professors, and those affected by ASD in their everyday life.

In this issue of Neurologic Clinics, guest editor Dr. Rima M. Dafer brings her considerable expertise to the topic of Neurological Disorders in Women: From Epidemiology to Outcome. Top experts in the field discuss the most common neurological conditions affecting women, including stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and dementia, among others, with special consideration for the management of these conditions during reproductive years of age. - Contains 14 practice-oriented topics, including sex difference in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias; migraine and the gender divide; women and sleep disorders; sex differences in autism spectrum disorders; neurology of systemic disease: focus on women; gender differences in neurology training; and more. - Provides in-depth clinical reviews on neurological disorders in women, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. - Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.